What’s Good Now

In 2018, we live in what could be considered one of the more depressing eras in known history. Seemingly everyday there is something idiotic going on in Washington, D.C. or a horrific shooting, be it at a school or elsewhere.

Students at Grand Rapids Community College and other schools around the country walk into their classes on the first day of the new term and some are excited to begin their new class, some are just ready to be done. Fear and angst set in for those students as their teachers start reviewing what to do in an active shooter situation.

It’s no secret that the news is difficult to read – at times depressing. So that makes the following question either really easy to figure out, or incredibly difficult.

So, in a world where bad things happen daily, what’s going right?

Toward the end of 2017, hurricanes hit the United States in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. While that news is horrible as the damage was catastrophic, the after effects were incredible. Houston Texans defensive end, JJ Watt, had a goal to raise $200,000 in hurricane relief. With the help of many donors including celebrities, teams and fans, Watt’s cause raised $37 million to help rebuild the city of Houston.

There are a lot of advancements and achievements set to take place in 2018, according to a list of 18 things to look forward to in 2018. The list found on CNN’s website highlights many events and trends that can define this trip around the sun which include events like the Royal Wedding set to take place in May between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the FIFA World Cup taking place in Russia this June.

The entertainment world is also picking up steam as there has been a number of great movies including the Marvel Studios works, “Black Panther,” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”

September 21 marks a revamp in most of our childhoods as “Spyro: Reignited Trilogy” will be released by developer Toys for Bob and will include the original “Spyro” trilogy with, “Spyro the Dragon,” “Spyro: Ripto’s Rage,” “Spyro: Year of the Dragon.” The game is set for pre-order and is available for the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One.

I went out to hear the thoughts and feelings of the students at GRCC, or as GRCC President Bill Pink would say, “GRCC Family.”

For Bryce Newton, 19, of Grand Rapids, and others like him, family and credentials make the world a great place.

“I have a very busy schedule, but it’s a good schedule,” Newton said. “I’m working almost full-time, recently got my pilot’s license, I’m going to school full-time and I’m paying for it out of pocket, so I’m not in debt. I have a great household that’s helping me out with a lot of things. I have a huge family and they’re all awesome, I have one of the greatest supports that a lot of people may not have.”

Newton is an example of loving the smaller aspects in life, which can then lead to a greater outlook on life going forward.

There are other aspects of life that many find great as well. As this semester winds down, commencement comes along and many will graduate from GRCC and either enter the workforce or transfer to the college or university of their dreams. Personally, I will be attending Central Michigan University next fall and couldn’t be more excited to be around my best friends. It’s a journey that I along with many other transfer students will make, and it should be an exciting adventure for all of us.

There are a lot of stories in this magazine that, like many topics in this world, will bring readers down or even bring on feelings of sadness and anger. My hope is that this story will give its readers an opportunity to think about the positives in their own lives as they go on to read the rest of this magazine.